IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 602 

Recognizing the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic 

of Azerbaijan. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 28, 2014 

Mr. STOCKMAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 96th anniversary of the founding of the 

Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. 

Whereas, on May 28, 1918, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was proclaimed the world’s first secular Muslim 

parliamentary democratic republic; 

Whereas the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was granted 

diplomatic recognition by the United States and other 

democratic nations; 

Whereas Azerbaijan granted universal suffrage in 1918, making it the first majority Muslim country to give women 

the right to vote; 

Whereas after the collapse of the Soviet Union the United 

States established full diplomatic ties with the Republic 

of Azerbaijan in 1992; 


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•HRES 602 IH 

Whereas successive U.S. administrations have expressed support for Azerbaijani development of energy resources in 

the Caspian Sea region, including construction of the 

landmark Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the BakuTbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline that are main arteries for 

delivering Caspian energy resources to global markets; 

Whereas completion of the Southern Gas Corridor will increase European energy security by increasing the 

amount of natural gas flowing from the Caspian Sea to 

American allies in Europe; 

Whereas in a recent letter to Azerbaijan’s President, Secretary of State John Kerry wrote, ‘‘Azerbaijan is becoming a new reliable member of world energy resources and 

helps ensure Europe’s energy security. The implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor after a long hard 

work, besides benefitting the consortium’s numerous 

partners and neighbors, will strengthen the independence 

of Azerbaijan’’; 

Whereas the Republic of Azerbaijan is an important strategic 

partner of the United States, and Azerbaijani troops 

serve shoulder to shoulder with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, as they previously did in Iraq and Kosovo; 

Whereas Azerbaijan and the U.S. cooperate in countering terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and narcotics trafficking; 

Whereas Azerbaijan maintains close, friendly ties with 

Israel—America’s vital ally in the Middle East—and provides 40 percent of Israel’s oil consumption; 

Whereas Azerbaijan is home to Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities and has been praised for its religious 

tolerance by the European Parliament; 


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•HRES 602 IH 

Whereas Azerbaijan’s Jewish community has resided in Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution; and 

Whereas Azerbaijan supports peace and stability in the Caspian Sea region: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) extends warm congratulations and best 

3 wishes to the people of Azerbaijan as they celebrate 

4 Republic Day on the 96th anniversary of the found5 ing of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan; 

6 (2) notes the important role that Azerbaijan 

7 plays in ensuring the energy security of Israel and 

8 other American allies in Europe; and 

9 (3) expresses support for continued cooperation 

10 between the United States and Azerbaijan on en11 ergy, security, and other matters. 

Æ 


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